The 48-year-old actor, who plays Kevin Webster in ITV1’s long-running soap, is accused of 19 offences including raping a child, indecently assaulting a child and sexual activity with a child.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the crimes were allegedly committed between 2001 and 2010. Le Vell, who has been charged under his real name Michael Turner, is due before magistrates in Manchester on February 27.

Le Vell was previously questioned over child offences in September 2011, but the actor denied the accusations and the case was dropped. Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, has now reviewed that decision.

Last night (February 14), she said: “I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences. I have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mr Turner with 19 offences, including rape of a child. Mr Turner has now been charged with criminal offences and has a right to a fair trial.”

Le Vell, from Hale in Greater Manchester, joined Coronation Street in 1983 as car mechanic Kevin Webster. He is one of the longest-standing actors on the ITV soap opera.

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